ABSTRACT

The study ascertained physio-chemical and acceptability of developed home care products of skin cream, face cleanser and semi-solid soap using rice water and essential oils from coconut, lemon, orange and grape. Based on the objectives of the study, (8) eight research questions were answered while four null hypotheses were tested by the study at 0.05 level of significance. The study adapted quasiexperimental research design and Research and Development (R&D) method. The study was carried out in two phases. Phase I involved the identification of the household members who use cosmetics, and phase II involved sensory evaluation of the products of skin cream, face cleanser, and semi-solid soap. The population of the study was Eleven thousand, six hundred (11,600) household member in Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Loca Government Area of Rivers State. The sample of the study were 390 household members (homemakers) in the proportion of 78 households consisting of five (5) home makers in each household in selected communities in Omoku in Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Loca Government Area of Rivers State. Also, 78 participants were recruited to use the products to ascertain effectiveness of the products. Furthermore, 10 volunteers did the dermatological test, and the study also involved 10 Panelists for sensory evaluation ofthe products of skin cream, face cleanser, and semi-solid soap. Instrument for data collection were structured questionnaire titled: Assessment of chemical, physical, and acceptability of homemade care products, produced from rice water and essential oils for skin treatment and family sustainability among householders (ACPAHPSTFSHQ), Effectiveness ofskin care products for Treatment ofskin care diseases (ESPTSD) and Hedonic scale questionnaire titled: Acceptability scoring forms for skin care products instrument (ASFSPI). The researcher and three trained research assistants carried the activities which were administration ofthe instrument and production processes as well as attending to the panelists. The instruments of ESPTSD and ASFSPI were face validated by three experts in the Department of Home Economics, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike, Umuahia, Abia State. The reliability coefficients were P>0.82 for ACPAHSTFSHQ, P>0.78 for ASFSPI and P>0.84 derived using Cronbach Alpha trial test. Mean and Standard Deviation were used to answer the research questions while t-test was used to test the null hypotheses. Results indicated that the respondents agreed to all the research question. On the test of hypotheses, items lesser than the critical t-value were rejected (P<0.05). Conclusively, the production of skin cream, face cleanser and soap made from rice water and essential oils has more benefits than demerits, the products are not skin type based, as persons of all skin type can be used them to enable them brighten their skin and maintain their skin wellness. The study recommends that Producers of cosmetics’ should endeavor to add natural fragrance to the produced item in order to give it pleasant scent because rice water on its own is odorless; Households should learn not to consume every eatable item in their household as many items could be used in producing several thing we need to run the day to day affairs of life; Federal government should implement the ease of doing business in the country; Homemakers are advised to use homemade cosmetics products such as skin cream, face cleanser and soap among others.